Permanent monitoring & analysis of Electromagnetic Compatibility

The concept of Permanent Network Monitoring calls for continuous analysis of networks through distributed, passive data loggers. In the context of classical fieldbuses like PROFIBUS, CAN, ASi and Ethernet-based networks like PROFINET, EtherCAT and Powerlink, the fieldbus-related EMC becomes more and more of a focal point. For this reason, Indu-Sol has expanded the concept of permanent network monitoring to the bus-related EMC. By using EMV-INspektor® V2 for distributed data logging, any vagrant currents on bus lines, in the PE/PA system and in the 24 V DC supply can be monitored permanently. Due to the use of measuring clamps, the measurements can be performed during running operation, and will cause no inter-ruption. One EMV-INspektor® V2 can operate four clamps, and thus monitor four separate currents.

Whenever a preset threshold value is exceeded, this event is stored along with a time stamp. Events are pre-processed by EMV-INspektor® V2 and provided, chronologically, to the PROmanage® NT network monitoring software for further processing and evaluation. By means of PROmanage® NT, the network quality of industrial fieldbuses can be compared to anomalies in the bus-related EMC. This allows conclusions on whether the causes of problems are more likely to be found in the bus itself, or rather in its environment. For this purpose it is possible, for example, to superimpose repetitive events in the PROFIBUS and the shield current, chronologically, in a graphic.

This sophisticated method of analysis makes irregularities immediately apparent. When a value exceeds or falls below a configurable threshold value an alarm activates. The statistic function keeps data exact to the minute available up to one year. This means historical events can be opened up for viewing at any time for cause analysis, e.g. of sporadic failures.